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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,804 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Mar 052010

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 62,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated when at speeds of at least 60 mph sitting idle at a traffic stop, the vehicle would stall without warning. When the failure would occur, the vehicle would lose power steering and braking power as he would coast to the side of the roadway. The contact would be able to restart the vehicle and on occasion, it would take several attempts. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer filed a claim for the contact but would not provide any immediate assistance. The failure mileage was 62,000 and the current mileage is 69,976. The consumer stated since the report was filed, he had the crank sensor replaced and it eliminated the problem. Updated evoq 10/22/10

- Hilton, NY, USA

problem #20

Jan 102008

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving various speeds, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle would stall. An independent mechanic could not duplicate the failures; therefore, the issues continued to persist. The GM dealer discovered that the crankshaft sensor was faulty. There were no repairs made to the vehicle. An investigation was opened in regards to the crankshaft sensor failures (NHTSA action number PE06016), but there were no recalls. The failure and current mileages were less than 77,000. Updated 6/22/09 the consumer stated the engine shut down on him whild driving on the highway. Updated 06/25/09.

- Union City, CA, USA

problem #19

Dec 012005

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles
: the contact stated the ABS engages at low speeds of 20 mph and below. As a result, the stopping distance was increased. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05V379000, regarding the ABS. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall because of the VIN. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The dealer cleaned the wheel speed sensor, replaced the pads and rotors. However, those replacements did not correct the problem. Additionally, a knocking noise was heard in the engine. The dealer inspected the engine although, no repairs were made. The passenger sie window was inoperative. Updated 03/28/06.

- North Collins, NY, USA

problem #18

Sep 072005

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Cold engine start-up knock. I own a 2002 Silverado Z71 with the 4.8 engine. The engine has had cold start-up knock since I have owned it. I have asked dealers about it and have been told it is normal. I build engines for and own to drag cars. One is an et footbrake car with a mild 350 ci small block Chevy. The other is a 48 Fiat altered with a 434 ci small block Chevy stroker. Both have forged pistons and neither has the cold piston noise that this bone stock 4.8 has. I currently have 39,139 miles on my truck and want it to last as long as possible. Under the current circumstances, I don't think it will last much longer before it cracks a piston skirt or severely damages the cylinder walls. It is my intention to contact Chevrolet in the next couple of days but after reading the complaints on this site, I am prepared to be told the same as the dealer told me. I am also looking into the class action suit approach to get a remedie to the problem. Another issue is the brakes. The truck has 4 wheel disk and stops like it has four wheel drums without power?? I owned a 97 sivlverado that had brakes that worked the same. You would think that a truck that cost 30,000 dollars would be a little better constructed.

- Vine Grove, KY, USA

problem #17

Oct 272003

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • miles
Clunk type feeling in steering wheel on turns and when hitting bumps. Engine knock on cold start. Engine was noisy when started after having sat over night

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #16

Oct 072004

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,536 miles
The consumer stated water seeped into the engine distributor without warning. As a result the engine failed. The consumer wrote about two vehicles, the second VIN #[xxx] same make and model. The consumer felt that the problem was with the A/C conditioner hose (metal) was routed over the distributor and condensation was forming on the hose and running onto the distributor causing failure. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lawrence, MS, USA

problem #15

May 272004

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Knock in motor of 2002 Chevy Silverado, 5.3 motor with 30,000 miles. Dealer says knock is normal. Chevrolet sent letter to me stating they will provide service coverage for engine till 100,000 miles, but knock is normal. They claim that this is full coverage parts and labor but won't send letter stating full coverage only that they are pleased to provide coverage. Sounds fishy! the knock continues to last longer on cold start and gets louder by the week.

- Montgomery, NY, USA

problem #14

Dec 302002

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles
Engine knock.. hot & cold. Sounds like lifter noise, GM says it's "normal". over 30 years as a mechanic, I know there's no such thing as a normal knock. After researching this issue, I find there are about 800,000 vehicle involved. GM needs to fix these vehicles. GM service bulletins refer to this as piston slap. Any slap, scuff, or abnormal noise in a cylinder is detrimental to the metals.

- Parlin, NJ, USA

problem #13

Jan 022004

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles
2002 Silverado tailgate latch quit working, also 6.0L engine slapped during start up, sounded bad.

- Taylor, MI, USA

problem #12

Sep 052003

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles
While driving a "pinging" noise could be heard coming from the engine. The dealer determined that carbon build-up on top of the pistons was the cause of the problem. Please provide any additional information. The oil pump was replaced but the noise was still present. Consumer concerned that the engine will fail if this is a lubrication problem. He brother has the same make, model and experienced the same defect. Vehicle was repaired by the same dealership and problem ceased.

- Boonville, IN, USA

problem #11

May 102002

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When motor starts up sound like rod are coming thru the block this started more then a year ago reg. With GM and received letter on the problem it how a lot worst and states I must live with its. It now knocks for 4 to 5 min after starting. You should not have this kind of problem on a 39000 $ vec. Help.

- Auburn, MI, USA

problem #10

Aug 262003

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,641 miles
The engine consumed an excessive amount of oil. The dealer had inspected the vehicle several times, and could not duplicate or correct the problem. If engine stops running because of lack of oil, the steering and brakes would lock resulting in a collision.

- Dover, PA, USA

problem #9

May 042003

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Consumer states that while driving the vehicle the check engine light would come on and stay on. Dealer notified.

- Wilmington, IL, USA

problem #8

Feb 092002

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and with no warning the vehicle will shut off, causing consumer to pull over, and it will be hard to get the vehicle back started.dealer notified.

- Robstown, TX, USA

problem #7

May 232003

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • 36,700 miles
The consumer had to replace several major vehicle components since the vehicle was purchased, including the engine which failed at 36,700 miles.

- Lorton, VA, USA

problem #6

May 232003

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • 36,000 miles
The vehicles oil pump failed at 36K miles and caused damage to the engine.

- Lorton, VA, USA

problem #5

Apr 082003

(reported on)

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When the vehicle was first started, the engine had a knocking noise.

- Coventry, CT, USA

problem #4

Mar 282003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My 2002 chev truck knocks when I start the engine. (6.0) most chev trucks do this. The dealer told me it was normal. I would like to have them around when I try and sell the truck. The noise came after the truck was only 4 months old. It has been getting worse and worse. My resale value is going to suck. If it is normal, I told them they should advertise it in their tv commercial. Chev trucks, like a rock, and sound like a rock shaking in a tin can.

- Chillicothe, OH, USA

problem #3

Mar 172003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle caught fire under the hood. Wiring from electric fuel pump in gas tank caught fire and burned two holes in the top of the gas tank.

- Sweet Springs, MO, USA

problem #2

Mar 032003

Silverado 3500

  • miles
The vehicle made a noise, the problem was diagnosed as a slapped piston.

- Watertown, CT, USA

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